Top Uzbek activist freed:

Uzbekistan has released a prominent political activist after he served more than two decades in prison, rights groups said on Thursday.

Murod Juraev’s high-profile release came less than two weeks after US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the highly-repressive state and held talks with President Islam

Karimov

Karimov.

A former lawmaker who represented an opposition party banned by the regime, Juraev served 21 years behind bars after the nine-year sentence he received in 1995 was extended several times.

Juraev, 63, and his associates were convicted in 1995 of plotting to overthrow the government of Karimov, who has brooked no dissent since he consolidated power following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The activist was first incarcerated in September 1994 before receiving a sentence of 12 years, which was then reduced to nine years on appeal. (AFP)